Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s socialist mayoral hopeful, now claims his “defund the police” mantra was just a 2020 outburst tied to George Floyd’s death. His campaign’s sudden pivot reeks of political convenience, as records show his anti-NYPD crusade stretched far beyond that summer’s unrest, as Just the News reports. This flip-flop deserves a hard look from voters.
Mamdani, a self-described socialist and the Democratic Party's nominee, has consistently pushed to slash NYPD funding, a stance he’s now trying to soften as he eyes the mayor’s office. His calls to defund the police, often tied to his anti-Israel views, began before Floyd’s death in May 2020 and persisted into 2021 and beyond. Just the News exposed this long trail of activism, contradicting his recent narrative.
As early as October 2019, Mamdani tweeted that the NYPD’s budget was bloated, demanding that taxpayer dollars be redirected. By May 2020, weeks before Floyd’s death, he was already criticizing police funding during the COVID-19 crisis. His posts ramped up in June 2020, with fiery rhetoric like “Defund the NYPD. House the poor.”
Mamdani’s social media blitz continued through 2020, with Instagram posts and tweets slamming the NYPD as “racist” and “out of control.” He argued the department’s budget needed a $1 billion cut, claiming it was a tool to oppress Black and brown communities. These weren’t fleeting comments—they were a calculated campaign.
In July 2020, Mamdani attacked then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and NYC’s Democratic Party leadership for not fully embracing defunding. He dismissed reforms as inadequate, insisting, “There’s no reforming this system.” His rhetoric painted police as the enemy, not partners in public safety.
By November 2020, Mamdani was still at it, tweeting that the NYPD and prosecutors were threats to public safety. His campaign website echoed this, calling for a $3 billion cut to the NYPD budget and an immediate hiring freeze. This wasn’t a one-off; it was his brand.
Mamdani’s anti-police stance is often intertwined with his vocal opposition to Israel, a connection he made explicit. In June 2021, he organized a rally titled “From Steinway to Ferguson to Sheikh Jarrah: Defund State Violence,” linking NYPD funding to Israeli policies. He chanted “BLM!” and “BDS!” to merge Black Lives Matter with the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest, and Sanction movement.
His ally, Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour, shared this narrative, blaming Israel for alleged U.S. police brutality. Mamdani’s 2021 podcast remarks claimed NYPD tactics were influenced by Israeli training, a charge the ADL called a “spurious argument” meant to smear Israel. This fusion of causes raises questions about his priorities as a mayoral candidate.
The rally Mamdani led featured a banner demanding the NYPD be disarmed and abolished, backed by his NYC Democratic Socialists of America. He thanked Sarsour and anti-Israel groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, doubling down on his stance. His campaign’s refusal to comment to Just the News only fuels skepticism about his sincerity.
Fast forward to 2023, and Mamdani’s campaign website still pushed defunding the NYPD, unchanged from 2020. Yet, as the mayoral race heated up, he began to retreat, claiming his 2020 comments were just “frustration” over Floyd’s death. The New York Times reported he planned to apologize for those June 2020 tweets, but the record shows his activism was far broader.
Mamdani’s 2022 “Small Business Public Safety Resources” guide even advised against reporting drug overdoses to 911 to avoid police involvement. Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch slammed this, noting officers carry naloxone and save lives. Mamdani’s tip sheet seemed more about ideology than public safety.
In December 2024, Mamdani called for dissolving the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, accusing it of harassing protesters. He tweeted, “As Mayor, I will disband the SRG,” despite its role in maintaining order. This late push shows his anti-police stance hasn’t faded, despite his softer rhetoric.
Mamdani’s attempt to rewrite history doesn’t erase his years of anti-NYPD activism. His claim that police are “critical partners” in public safety, as told to CBS News, feels like a calculated shift to appeal to voters. The contradiction between his past and present is glaring.
His long-standing ties to Sarsour, whose anti-Israel views have sparked controversy, further complicate his candidacy. The ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt criticized Sarsour for rhetoric that “encourages antisemitism,” a charge Mamdani seems unbothered by. Voters must weigh whether his alliances align with New York’s needs.
With Mamdani leading in polls, his record demands scrutiny. His defund-the-police crusade, tied to a broader anti-Israel agenda, suggests a radical vision for NYC that could undermine public safety. New Yorkers deserve a mayor who prioritizes stability, not ideological battles.
